Tennessee

The Department of Finance and Administration, Division of TennCare published a recent notice announcing its intentions to revise the Medicaid State Plan to include in the TennCare benefits package buprenorphine-enhanced supportive medication-assisted recovery and treatment, known as “BE-SMART,” for beneficiaries needing treatment for opioid use disorder, effective January 1, 2021. The Department intends to submit the amendment CMS as a revision to the Medicaid state plan. Comments are requested, but a due date is not specified.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2020-10-16T09:12:43-04:00October 16, 2020|Tennessee|

Texas

The Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee will hold its virtual quarterly meeting at 9 AM on October 20, 2020.  The meeting agenda can be found here. More information about the PMP is available here.

Also in Texas. The Board of Pharmacy requested comments be submitted by October 31, 2020, on sixteen proposed rules, including the expansion of pharmacy technician duties and expanding ratios. NACDS strongly urges members to submit letters of support and participate in the November 3, 2020 Board of Pharmacy zoom meeting. Links to the proposed rules and brief summaries are below.

  1. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 283 to clarify course work requirements for reciprocity applicants retaking the state pharmacy jurisprudence exam.
  2. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 283 to remove an outdated reference to pharmacist intern-trainees.
  3. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 283 to remove the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacist-interns.
  4. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 283 to remove an outdated reference to a change of name fee.
  5. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to expand the nonjudgmental duties that may be performed by pharmacy technicians to include receiving and transferring prescriptions for dangerous drugs. The rule also would remove the ratio of on-site pharmacists to pharmacy technicians.
  6. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to update the definition of “original prescription.”
  7. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to expand the nonjudgmental duties that may be performed by pharmacy technicians to include receiving, transferring, or contacting a prescriber regarding prescriptions for dangerous drugs.
  8. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to expand the nonjudgmental duties that may be performed by pharmacy technicians to include receiving, transferring, or contacting a prescriber regarding prescriptions for dangerous drugs. The rule also would increase the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees to 1:6.
  9. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to expand the nonjudgmental duties that may be performed by pharmacy technicians to include the transfer of prescriptions for dangerous drugs and documentation of consultation.
  10. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to require non-pharmacist individual owners or managing officers of a Class A pharmacy license applicant to attend a pharmacy ownership training course.
  11. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to require non-pharmacist individual owners or managing officers of Class A pharmacies to take ownership training within 90 days of notifying the board of a change of managing officer. The rule also would revise the change of ownership notification requirements.
  12. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to expand the nonjudgmental duties that may be performed by pharmacy technicians to include receipt of oral prescription drug orders for dangerous drugs.
  13. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 291 to expand the nonjudgmental duties that may be performed by pharmacy technicians to include receiving and transferring prescriptions for dangerous drugs. The rule also would remove the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees.
  14. Proposed rule of the State Board of Pharmacy would amend regulations under 22 TAC 315 to clarify when a controlled substance prescription is not required to be issued electronically. The rule also would add procedures for requesting a waiver of the electronic prescribing requirement.
  15. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 309 to update the definition of “original prescription.”
  16. Proposed rule amending regulations under 22 TAC 309 to update provisions on oral prescriptions to allow for expanded pharmacy technician duties.

Lastly in Texas. The Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) Immunization Program is urging pharmacies and other health care providers interested in administering the COVID-19 vaccines once they are available to enroll as vaccine providers at EnrollTexasIZ.dshs.texas.gov. For more information on the DSHS Immunization Program, visit EnrollTexasIZ.dshs.texas.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2020-10-16T09:11:39-04:00October 16, 2020|Texas|

California

As California prepares for the start of the implementation of SB 212, which requires the pharmaceutical industry to form a stewardship organization and fund a drug take-back program, the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) provided stakeholders with an update on the safe disposal drug take-back bin (med bin) “infrastructure” that they have been building since they were awarded the grant in 2018. To find a med bin near you, visit www.takebackdrugs.org.

Also in California. Beginning on January 1, 2021, Medi-Cal pharmacy benefits will be transitioned to and administered through the fee-for-service delivery system for all Medi-Cal beneficiaries (generally referred to as “Medi-Cal Rx”). The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has partnered with Magellan Medicaid Administration, Inc. (Magellan) to provide a wide variety of administrative services and supports for Medi-Cal Rx. DHCS is providing critical information regarding the prescriber and pharmacy registration for the secure Medi-Cal Rx Provider Web Portal. This portal will be used to provide regular transitional monitoring supports to help ensure submitting providers and other interested entities will have all necessary information to support efforts related to a smooth and effective transition, including communications, training, and other pertinent resources. DHCS continues to make significant progress towards a successful transition of pharmacy services on January 1, 2021, to Medi-Cal Rx. Medi-Cal Rx transitioning pharmacy services from Medi-Cal managed care to fee-for-service will, among other things:

  • Standardize the Medi-Cal pharmacy benefit statewide, under one delivery system.
  • Improve access to pharmacy services with a pharmacy network that includes the vast majority of the state’s pharmacies and is generally more expansive than individual Medi-Cal managed care plan pharmacy networks.
  • Apply statewide utilization management protocols to all outpatient drugs, as appropriate.
  • Strengthen California’s ability to negotiate state supplemental drug rebates with drug manufacturers as the largest Medicaid program in the country with over 13 million beneficiaries. More information on the Medi-Cal Rx transition and the Provider Portal can be found here.

DHCS/Magellan has also launched the training registration application on the Medi-Cal Rx portal for Medi-Cal prescribers and pharmacies. For detailed registration and training instructions, access the Medi-Cal Rx Web Portal and Training Registration or visit https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/provider/ and click Register in the upper right-hand corner.

Also in California. A Medi-Cal Rx subscription service is now available, so pharmacies are encouraged to sign up and receive Medi-Cal Rx updates by email.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2020-10-09T08:31:35-04:00October 9, 2020|California|

Colorado

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) is hosting training sessions focusing on the upcoming residential and inpatient substance use disorder (SUD) service benefit on October 22 and 29, 2020. The program will cover topics including an overview of the SUD benefit expansion, enrollment with Health First Colorado as a residential/inpatient SUD treatment provider, billing procedures for the new services, ASAM Criteria documentation of medical necessity, utilization management, provider licensure requirements, and content provided by the Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) and Managed Service Organizations (MSOs) for treatment providers. Members may register for the training and can visit the Ensuring a Full Continuum of SUD Benefits website (for additional information).

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2020-10-09T08:30:10-04:00October 9, 2020|Colorado|

Florida

The Board of Pharmacy has issued a notice announcing a change to a July 27 proposed rule that would amend regulations under FAC 64B16-27 to clarify standards for the supervision of pharmacy technicians, including supervising pharmacist responsibilities and requirements for delegation. The change clarifies language regarding the prohibition on interfering with the supervising pharmacist’s independent professional judgment.

Also in Florida. The Board of Pharmacy has issued a proposed rule that would adopt regulations under FAC 64B16-31 to clarify standards for collaborative practice and test and treat certifications. The rule would specify that licensees are not required to complete the three-hour continuing education related to minor, nonchronic health conditions if the initial certificate was issued fewer than 12 months before the expiration date of the license. Comments and hearing requests are due on October 14, 2020.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2020-10-09T08:26:32-04:00October 9, 2020|Florida|

Idaho

On October 7, The DEA in coordination with HHS, held a virtual webinar titled, “Supporting Healthcare Professionals during the Pandemic.” Topics discussed included drugs of abuse and trends, COVID 19 guidance, telemedicine, updates on fraud and robberies, and an overview of DEA requirements regarding the handling of controlled substances according to Federal regulations.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2020-10-09T08:25:42-04:00October 9, 2020|Idaho|

Indiana

Health Commissioner Dr. Kristine Box has issued a Standing Order allowing pharmacists and interns to administer vaccines as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to patients age 11 and older. The Standing Order recognizes HHS’ recent declaration permitting pharmacists to order and administer (and interns to administer) vaccines for children ages  3-18 and notes that for these immunizations ordered or administered under HHS’ declaration, the declaration requirements should be followed. Commissioner Box also signed  immunization protocols for the administration or dispensing of vaccines to individuals 11 and older, which is the current age range under the state statute.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

2020-10-09T08:22:17-04:00October 9, 2020|Indiana|

Iowa

The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise issued an informational letter announcing changes to the Preferred Drug List effective October 1. Among other policy changes included in the Informational Letter, prior authorization is now needed for 90 morphine equivalent units (MME), reduced from 120 MME.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Joel Kurzman at 847-905-0555.

2020-10-09T08:21:21-04:00October 9, 2020|Iowa|

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